Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Alcohol Use Disorder

Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2025 Mar;136(3):e70004. doi: 10.1111/bcpt.70004.

Abstract

In the search for novel treatment strategies for alcohol use disorder (AUD), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) approved for treating Type 2 diabetes and obesity have caught much attention. GLP-1 is a naturally occurring peptide produced in the small intestines and the brain, regulating plasma glucose levels and satiety. This focused review will report on the preclinical studies, case stories, register-based cohort studies, brain-imaging data and secondary analysis of clinical data supporting the role of GLP-1RAs as a novel treatment of AUD. Several clinical trials are ongoing, examining the potential effects of the GLP-1RA semaglutide in AUD.

Keywords: AUD; GLP‐1; alcohol use disorder; fMRI; glucagon‐like peptide‐1.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism* / drug therapy
  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor*
  • Glucagon-Like Peptides* / pharmacology
  • Glucagon-Like Peptides* / therapeutic use
  • Humans

Substances

  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • semaglutide
  • Glucagon-Like Peptides
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists